In Korea in the early 1800s, news from the countryside reached the king by means of signal fires. On one mountaintop after another, a fire was lit when all was well. If the king did not see a fire, that meant trouble, and he would send out his army. Linda Sue Park''s first picture book for Clarion is about Sang-hee, son of the village firekeeper. When his father is unable to light the fire one night, young Sang-hee must take his place. Sang-hee knows how important it is for the fire to be lit-but he wishes that he could see soldiers . . . just once. Mountains, firelight and shadow, and Sunhee''s struggle with a hard choice are rendered in radiant paintings, which tell their own story of a turning point in a child''s life. Afterword.

From the Publisher:In Korea in the early 1800s, news from the countryside reached the king by means of signal fires. On one mountaintop after another, a fire was lit when all was well. If the king did not see a fire, that meant trouble, and he would send out an army. Linda Sue Park's first picture book for Clarion is about Sang-hee, the son of the village firekeeper. When his father is unable to light the fire one night, young Sang-hee must take his place. Sang-hee knows how important it is for the fire to be lit--but he wishes that he could see soldiers...just once.

Praise

Kirkus Reviews"Even in the darkness the watercolor illustrations glow with vibrancy....A lovely telling that will bring readers back to read or hear this story one more time." 02/15/2004

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"An attractive celebration of unity, peace, and family heritage, Sang-hee's story also emphasizes the beauty, power, and responsibility inherent in the individual's choice to participate in the social contract." - Timnah Card April 2004